Startup burner assembly for snow melting apparatus and method of snow melting

Abstract

A startup burner assembly for use in snow melting applications, and which permits initiation of snow melting without first supplying water as a coolant. The startup burner assembly comprises a fuel burner having adjustable combustion output and a nozzle to facilitate the emergence of products of combustion, and a combustion chamber having a first portion in substantially air-tight communication with the fuel burner and enclosing the nozzle and a second portion shaped and dimensioned for disposition into a snow melting receptacle or pit. The combustion chamber has a plurality of discharge holes formed at least on the second portion thereof to permit the egress of products of combustion from the fuel burner into the tank or pit, and thereby permit agitation and melting of snow loaded therein, The startup burner assembly also includes an air cooling assembly for supplying air to cool at least the first portion of the combustion chamber.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to snow melting equipment, and more specifically, to improvements in traditional snow melters which utilize heat to melt and thus dispose of large amounts of snow. In particular, the invention relates to a startup snow melting apparatus which permits burner ignition without initially supplying water as a coolant.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Snow melting devices known in the art commonly utilize a burner unit or assembly to provide heat to a snow melting medium, typically water. The heated medium is then used in various ways to melt the snow.[0003]Canadian Patent No. 780,673 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,187,743 (both to Primas) disclose a snow melting device commonly known in the art. This device includes a tank and a fuel burner assembly. The burner assembly includes a downwardly extending downcomer tube which encloses the fuel burner nozzle. The downcomer tube is provided with an opening at the bottom for the outflow of combustio...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0023]In the startup burner assembly of the present invention, the discharge holes may be positioned in any arrangement which gives efficient distribution of the combustion gases. However, it is particularly advantageous for the discharge holes to be formed on the upper surface of the second portion of the combustion chamber, or sparger tube, and along substantially the entire length thereof. Discharge holes may also be formed on portions of the downcomer tube.

[0025]In the snow melting apparatus of the present invention, the controller preferably comprises a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) operably linked to the fuel burners of the one or more startup burner assemblies. The PLC may also be operably linked to the air supply means, so as to control the output thereof. Most preferably, the PLC will be adapted to monitor metal temperatures, at least on the startup burner assemblies, and will operate the burners thereof such that preset metal temperatures will not be exceeded.

[0038]adjusting input of the fuel and oxygen to the fuel burner of the startup burner assembly so as to provide a low burner output, and

[0042]The collecting tray referred to herein is typically defined by a substantially planar grated bottom and sidewalls extending substantially upwardly therefrom. In particularly preferred embodiments, the sidewalls of the collecting tray are outwardly tapered, or flared, so as to improve the efficiency of the debris removal process.

Problems solved by technology

The instantaneous mixing and transfer of heat to the water causes an immediate decrease in bulk density of the mixture causing the mixture to rise vertically up the annular space inside the weir and violent discharge thereof out of the opening at the top of the weir.

A common problem of such prior art devices is that water must be supplied in sufficient quantity to provide cooling of the burner assembly prior to ignition of the burner.

This results in a need for water to be readily available at the site of operation, restricting the use of such equipment to sites having a water source in close proximity.

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